London: King Charles III has delivered a heartfelt video message honoring the life and legacy of his ‘darling Mama,’ Queen Elizabeth II, marking what would have been her 100th birthday.
In the message, recorded at Balmoral Castle earlier this month, the King reflected on his mother’s enduring dedication to public service and suggested that she may have been deeply concerned by the current state of the world, though he did not specify particular issues.
The centenary of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch is being commemorated on April 21, the day Princess Elizabeth was born in 1926 at Bruton Street in Mayfair.
“God bless you, darling Mama; you remain forever in our hearts and prayers.”
A special tribute from His Majesty The King on what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday.
🔗 Watch in full on The Royal Family YouTube channel: https://t.co/u8jeiFocT5 pic.twitter.com/G8okauVtPZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 20, 2026
As part of the tribute, the final design of a traditional bronze statue of the late Queen Elizabeth will be presented to King and Queen Camilla. The sculpture, created by Martin Jennings, depicts the Queen in her younger years wearing ceremonial robes of the Order of the Garter.
The statue, standing 9.84 feet tall atop an 11.15-foot plinth in St James’s Park, draws inspiration from a 1955 portrait by Pietro Annigoni. According to Lord Janvrin, the design emphasizes her public role and lifelong sense of duty, rather than personal pursuits such as horse riding, which had also been considered.
The wider memorial project, led by architect Norman Foster, will include additional elements such as a later-life bust of the Queen and a bronze statue of Prince Philip.
Plans also feature the reconstruction of a bridge in the park with a glass balustrade designed to resemble a royal tiara. The project, located near Buckingham Palace, is expected to be completed within two years.
In addition to the physical memorial, a digital initiative will invite the public to share personal memories of the late Queen via a dedicated website, building a collective archive of her impact and royal engagements. A nationwide scheme under a newly established Queen Elizabeth Trust will also support community projects aimed at fostering unity.
In his message, the King reflected on how Queen Elizabeth remained “constant, steadfast and wholly devoted” through decades of change, and expressed hope for a future guided by peace, justice and security. King also fondly recalled how many people remember her through small yet meaningful encounters, including her memorable appearance with Paddington Bear, symbolizing her warmth and enduring charm.
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